Maplewood Man Indicted In Hmong Homeland Fraud Scheme
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 48-year-old Maplewood man is accused of fraud after taking money from Hmong elders and promising land in return, according to charges filed Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Seng Xiong was charged with one count each of wire fraud and mail fraud in the case. He was arrested back in March before attempting to get on a plane headed for Thailand.
According to the charges, Xiong conducted a scheme through his organization, "Hmong Tebchaws," where he ordered elders to directly deposit between $3,000 and $5,000 into an account in Xiong's name. In exchange, the victims were promised 10 acres of land, a house and other benefits in a future country to be established as Hmong homeland, somewhere in southeast Asia.
The charges state Xiong claimed he was working with the White House and United Nations to establish the new country. He also claimed land had been set aside for the new country.
Xiong offered several investment options to the victims. Those who couldn't afford $3,000 to $5,000 could pay $20 per month or $240 per year, which would secure their spot in the new country with some of the benefits.
The case remains under investigation.
